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| Poroy warns of FETO influence in Nigeria |
Turkey’s new envoy to Nigeria warned on July 15, 2025 that remnants of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) are active in Nigeria. He spoke at a dinner in Abuja to mark Turkey’s Democracy and National Unity Day, which commemorates the failed 2016 coup against President Recep Erdoğan .
He said the group still runs schools and health centres in Nigeria to win trust. Behind this aid work, he explained, lies a drive to influence local politics and public bodies .
The envoy, Mehmet Poroy, said Turkish authorities continue to track and arrest FETO members worldwide. He urged Nigerian partners to share intelligence and clamp down on FETO cells .
Nigeria’s security officials have not yet publicly detailed any joint FETO-Federal investigations. But Poroy said Turkey has helped allied nations disrupt dozens of FETO networks in recent years .
FETO traces to Fethullah Gülen, a former Turkish preacher who fled to the U.S. in 1999. Ankara blames him for ordering the 2016 coup attempt that left at least 251 people dead and over 2,700 wounded .
Gülen led a global movement that, at its height, ran hundreds of schools, charities and firms. Turkey has since frozen billions in assets linked to him and closed or taken over many institutions abroad .
Poroy noted that some seized schools in other countries now operate under Turkish government oversight. Yet he said FETO still tries to rebuild networks in key regions, including parts of Africa .
Nigeria hosts dozens of Turkish-linked schools and clinics. Many are seen as quality centres for education and health. But Ankara now warns these venues may provide cover for FETO recruiters .
International bodies such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and Gulf Cooperation Council have designated FETO a terrorist group. Pakistan and Northern Cyprus have done the same .
Experts say FETO’s tactics blend charity with influence. They build goodwill through social work, then seek to place loyalists in key jobs. Critics call this “soft infiltration.”
A Nigeria-based security analyst noted that FETO funds often flow through complex charity chains. He said this makes it hard to spot illicit activity until cells gain real influence.
The analyst urged Nigerian regulators to audit foreign-funded schools and hospitals more closely. He said financial-monitoring units must widen their checks on education trusts and non-profits.
A former Foreign Affairs official said Nigeria and Turkey share broad security ties. He expects Abuja to take Poroy’s warning seriously and open dialogue with Ankara on joint counter-terror work.
Civil society groups in Nigeria have urged transparency. They want to know which institutions face probe, and whether any staff or students have links to extremist agendas.
A Nigerian rights lawyer said any action must respect local law. He warned against broad bans that harm genuine teaching and medical services.
In response, the Turkish Embassy said it will supply Nigeria’s security agencies with a dossier on suspected FETO operators. The embassy asked for swift action to close any loopholes .
Analysts note that Turkey’s global campaign against FETO has sometimes strained ties. Some nations viewed it as a push to export Ankara’s internal politics.
But Poroy stressed that FETO poses a threat beyond Turkey. He said it uses the guise of religion and aid to target many nations’ stability and unity .
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser has yet to issue a public statement on the allegation. But sources say Abuja will raise the issue at next week’s Africa-Turkey partnership summit.
Regional experts expect Nigeria to seek detailed proof before acting. They say Abuja must balance good relations with Turkey against due process for suspected groups.
Some observers in Turkey see Abuja’s response as a test of Abuja’s will to fight all forms of extremism equally. They point out that Nigeria fights Boko Haram and other local threats.
The envoy’s warning comes as Turkey and Nigeria mark growing trade and security ties. Bilateral trade reached about US $13 billion last year, up nearly 20% year-on-year .
Nigeria hosts nearly 500 Turkish firms across sectors such as construction, telecoms and energy. Ankara sees Nigeria as a gateway to West Africa.
The ambassador said he hopes this close partnership will extend to counter-terror work. He offered Turkey’s training programmes for Nigeria’s security forces.
A Nigerian diplomat, speaking off-record, said Abuja values the training offers but will tailor any collaboration to Nigeria’s needs.
Nigeria has previously cooperated with Turkey on operations against PKK and ISIS affiliates. Many officers trained in Ankara’s counter-terror schools.
The diplomat said Nigeria will examine Poroy’s dossier and decide on joint steps. He expects bilateral talks to begin within days.
Meanwhile, some parents at Turkish schools in Lagos expressed concern. They said they chose these schools for quality, not politics.
One parent said she hopes any probe will clear her child’s school. She fears that students may suffer if authorities shut down campuses.
Education experts warn against hasty closures. They recommend targeted audits to separate legitimate schools from suspect ones.
They suggest Nigeria’s education ministry work with Turkey’s accredited oversight bodies to inspect curricula and funding records.
Experts also urge public outreach to explain any actions. They say clear messaging can calm parents and staff.
If Nigeria moves to close or seize any FETO-linked school, it will need a legal framework. That may involve court orders under anti-terror laws.
Some legal scholars caution that such moves can drag out in court. They recommend combining legal action with diplomatic talks to speed resolution.
Any closures of health centres could also raise issues under public-health law. Nigerian clinics often fill gaps in under-served areas.
A public-health advocate said authorities must ensure patients do not lose vital services. She urged swift handover of any clinic taken over.
She noted that Turkey’s own health ministry runs clinics abroad. She suggested Nigeria could partner to keep services going under new management.
Overseas Turkish schools and hospitals once boosted Ankara’s soft power. Now, facing FETO fallout, Turkey must rebuild trust with host nations.
Poroy said Turkey will compensate any owner of buildings that must be vacated. He asked host nations to treat this as a shared security task.
He closed by urging all Nigerians to report any suspicious FETO activity. He said vigilance at community level is key to stopping terrorism networks early .
As the international drive against FETO continues, Nigeria’s response may shape its wider ties with Turkey. How Abuja balances security, legal rights and public services will be closely watched.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Abuja and Ankara as they map out next steps. Both sides say they aim to keep strong ties while cutting off any hidden threats.